The Blue Girl

Charles de Lint

Imogene, her brother and mother have moved to Newford so her mother can "find herself". It's also a good chance for Imogene to get away from the life she took up in Tyson. Imogene is different - she isn't part of the popular crowd in high school or a brain. On her first day she walks up to Maxine who is sitting alone at lunch. Maxine tries to warn Imogene off because she, Maxine, is the least popular person in their class. Maxine is always the target of the bullies. Imogene has already met those bullies as well. Maxine is her type of person and they quickly become best friends.

Maxine is a smart, lonely girl. Imogene helps her break away from her mother's domineering to become herself. The two influence each other for the better of each. Now if it weren't for that ghost and those fairies that are bothering Imogene...

Adrian is the ghost that haunts the high school. He falls in love with Imogene and starts following her. Without meaning to, he sics the darkness and the evil on to Imogene. She is one of those people who is on the edge so it doesn't take much to get their notice. Now she wants them to leave her alone.

Charles de Lint and urban fantasy are long time partners. The Blue Girl is excellent and once again takes us back to urban supernatural. The novel is told in first person narrative by Imogene, Maxine, and Adrian. Despite her odd upbringing, Imogene seems like a real person. The fantasy world de Lint has created is compelling.

The Blue Girl is one of those books that sucks you right in - or at least it did me. I ignored homework, turned off a favorite show (hurray for video recorders) and stayed up late to keep going until it was done. de Lint has a good narrative style that keeps the interest of the reader all through.

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